Cup dropping machine



May 21, 1935. c. F. ADAMS v CUP DROPPING MACHINE Filed Dec. 26, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNEY May 2l, 1935. c. F. ADAMS 2,002,213

CUP DROPPING MACHINE Filed Dec. 26, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 2l, 1935- c. F. ADAMS CUP DROPPING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 26, 1933 INVENTQR ATTORNEY' WM www W May 2l, 1935. Q F, ADAMS 2,002,213

CU P DROPPING MACHINE,I

Filed Dec. 26, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY CUP DROPPING MACHINE Filed DeC. 26, 1933. 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 21, 1935. c. F. ADAMS CUP DROPPING MACHINE Filed Dec. 26, 1933 6 SheetS-Sheet 6 I VENTOR BY cmq/Fuss f: 9a/sw.;

ATTORNEY Patented May 2l, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1'1 claim..

This invention relates to a cup dropping machine and is an improvement 'and continuation in part of my patent application for cup dropping machines described in my application led March 3rd, 1932, Serial Number 596,561 and in my application filed November 3rd, 1932, Serial Number 641,364.

'I'he object of the present invention is an im-4 provement in the construction of automatic means for effecting the discharge of cups to be dispensed from cup supply cylinders. The second object of the invention is the production of,

improved means for reciprocating and turning suction heads that coact with cup supply cylinders to Withdraw cups from said cylinders, said,

means being in continuous contact relation with said suction heads.

The third object of the invention is the production in a cup dropping machine of means to cushion the ends of the movements of suction heads that are both turned and reciprocated. Other objects will be evident from the specification and claims hereinafter set forth.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 represents a top view of an exemplication of the improved cup dropping machine and a section of Fig. 2 on the line I, I; Fig. 2 shows a section of Fig. 1 on the line 2, 2; Fig. 3 indicates a section of Fig.

i1 on the line 3, 3; Fig. 4 represents an enlarged section of Fig. 3 on the line 4, 4; Fig. 5 shows an enlarged fragmentary section of Fig. 3 on the line 5. 5; Fig. 6 indicates an enlarged section of Fig. 5 on the line 6, 6; Fig. 7 is an enlargedsection of Fig. 5 on the line 1, 1; Fig. 8 represents a section of Fig. 5 on the line 8, 8; Fig. 9 shows a section of Fig. 5 on the line 9, 9; Fig. 10 represents a section of Fig. 5 on the line III, I8; Fig. l1 indicates a section of Fig. 5 on the line II, II; Fig. 12 shows a partial top view of Fig. 4 with parts in section; Fig. 13 represents an enlarged partial section of Fig. 12 on the line I3, I3; Fig. 14 indicates a partial section of Fig. 13 on the line I4, I4; Fig. 15 shows a partial top view of Fig. 13; Fig. 16 is a partial section of Fig. 15 on the line I6, I6; Fig. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary portion of Fig. 2 with some of its elements in section and in different positions; Fig. 18 represents a fragmentary section of Fig. 17 on the line I8, I8; Fig. 19 indicates a side view of one of the corrugated cups dispensed by the cup dropping machine and Fig. 20 is a top View of Fig. 19.

The cup dropping machine in this instance is i indicated having the side frames 20 and 2I. Each of said frames comprises the central member 22, to which are bolted the end members 23 (Cl. 2li- 8.5)

and 24. The central members 22 are each indicated with the vertical wall 25. Vertical lugs 26 are integral with the members 22. 'I'he said central members 22 have each formed therewith a flange having the horizontal portion 29 and the vertical portion 30. A flange 34 extends inwardly from the wall of each member 22. Feet 35 are shown integral with each central member 22, and an opening 36 is indicated in each wall 25. Vertical guides 40 project from the inner face of 10 each of the walls 25.

The members 23 of the frames are triangular in shape and each comprises the vertical wall 46 with the vertical flange 41 having formed therewith the lugs 48, the inclined flange 49 15 and the horizontal flange 50. The flanges 49 and 50 are connected by the crown portion 5I. In the outer ends of the members 23 are formed the guide openings 53 which are provided with the detachable caps 54. A slide block 55 is guided in each of said openings 53 and has in threaded engagement therewith the adjusting screw 56, having the head 51, which latter bears against the cap 54. A cross shaft 6I has its end portions journaled in the slide blocks 55. A pair 25 of sprocket chain wheels 63 are fastened to the shaft 6I. Spacer bolts 65 connect the members 23 of the frames of the machine. The members 23 of the frames are connected to the members 22 by the bolts 68. The members 24 of the frames are each triangular in shape, and each comprises the horizontal wallv 69 and the vertical wall 18 with the flange 1I having the lugs 12. The inclined flange 13 and the horizontal flange 14 are indicated with each of the 35 members 24. The flanges 13 and 14 are connected by the crown portion 15. In the walls 69 are journaled the ends of the shaft 18. Adjacent to the ends of the shaft 18 are fastened the sprocket chain wheels 19. A pair of sprocket chains are engaged by the sprocket chain Wheels 63 and 19. Conveyor cross bars 80a spaced from one another have their ends connected to the chains 80. A ratchet wheel 8| is lfastened to the shaft 18. A ratchet lever having the arms 82 and 83 is loosely supported on the shaft 18. To the arm 83 is pivoted the pawl 84 which coacts with the ratchet wheel 8|. To the arm 82 is pivoted one end of the connecting rod 85 having the curved member 86, and to the latter is bolted the rod 81 having the eye 88. A spacer bolt 89 connects the members 24 of the frames. The members 24 are bolted to the members 22 by the bolts 98. To the flanges, 34, 50 and 14 are fastened the cross bars 93. A 55 platform95 having the openings 96 is fastened to the cross bars 93. The chains 60. with the cross bars a constitute a conveyor. To the platform guide strips 91, spaced from each other, Figs. 1, 4 and 18, having the curved ends 91a. A pair of longitudinal guide strips 98, spaced from each other and havingthe curved or tapered ends 98h are fastened to the posts 98a which extend from the platform 95. Pans 99 each having a plurality of nests 99a are supported on the platform 95 and are maintained in proper position by the guide strips 91 and 98. Referring to Figs. 1to 7, 9 to 11 and 1'1, to one of the cross bars 93 are fastened the brackets |00, which have journaled therein the ends of the cross shaft |0|. A pair of detector fingers |02 are fastened to the shaft |0|. The outer ends of the fingers |02 extend through the openings 96. An arm |02a with the counter weight |02b is fastened to the shaft |0I. An arm |03 extends from the shaft |0|, and a link |04 has one end pivoted to the arm |03. A slot |04a is indicated at one end of the link |04. A pad |05 having the stop lugs |05a and |0517 extends from one of the walls 25 and a journal stud |06 extends from the pad |05. A bell crank having the arms |08 and |09 is pivoted on the stud |06. The arm |08 has extending therefrom the pin |08a which engages the slot |04a. An .arm |09a with the stop block |09b and the counter weight |09c extends from the stud |06. A link ||0 has one end pivoted on the pin |08a and its other end is pivoted to the U shaped latch bracket ||2. The latch bracket ||2 having the recess ||2a is pivoted to the link I3 by the pivot |4. A link I6 has one end pivoted to the bell crank arm |09. To the side frames 20 and 2| are fastened a pair of journal brackets |8 and in which is journaled the cross shaft |20. An arm |2| extends from the cross shaft |20 and to which is pivoted the link ||6. Adjacent to the other end of the shaft |20, see Fig. 3, is fastened the arm |25, to which is pivoted the lower end of the link |26. To the side frame 2|, see Fig. 9 is fastened the cam'bracket |21, comprising the Vertical member |28 having the cam |29 with the thin portion |2941 and the thick portion |29b. The member |28 is shown with the inclined portion |30 and the cam |3| having the cam surface |32.

At the upper end of the member |26 is indicated the foot |33. The second vertical member |34 having the stop pin |34a of the bracket |21, is indicated with the inclined portion |35, which joins with the vertical portion |36. A horizontal member |31 connects the portions |3| and |36. A foot |38 is shown at the upper end of the member |34. A lower member |40 extends from the member |31 and terminates in the foot |43, which latter is fastened to the side frame 2|. A trip |45, Fig. 9, is pivoted to the member |34 by means of the pivot |46. The trip |45 has the tapered end |41 and at its other end is formed the rabbet |48. A spring |50 has one end fastened to the trip |45 and its other end is fastened to a pin |5| extending from the foot |38. The member |34 of the bracket |21 has formed therewith the journal bearing |52 which supports the pivot |55. To one end of the pivot |55 is fastened the arm |56, which latter is pivoted to the upper end of the link |26. To the other end of the pivot |55 is attached the latch arm |51 and the latter coacts with the rabbet |48 of the trip |45.

A latch plate |62 is pinned to the arm |65 by are fastened a pair of longitudinal' .|69 is pivoted to the arm |1|.

means of the pivot |6511, Figs. 5 and 17 and has extending therefrom the latch pin |63. To the side frame (Fig. 5) 20 is fastened the journal bracket |64, which has'pivoted thereto the bell crank having the arms |65 and |66. An outer link |68 has one end pivoted to the arm |66, and an inner link |68 has one end pivoted to the arm |65. A journal bracket |10 above the bracket |64 is fastened to the 'frame 20 and has pivoted thereto the bell crank having the arms |1| and |12. The upper end of the link |68 is pivoted to the arm |12 and the upper end of the link Referring, Figs. 2, 4, 5, 12 and 13, a motor platform comprises the bars |16, the ends of which are supported on the feet 35. A journal bracket |11 is supported upon and fastened to a pair of the bars |16. The main drive shaft |18 of themachine has one end journaled in the bracket |11 (see Figs. 2 and 4). A conveyor crank disk |18a is fastened to the shaft |16. A cam |19 is fastened to the shaft |18. A hub |80 extends from the side frame 20, and has connected thereto the screw pivot |8|. A lever |84 has one end pivoted to the screw pivot |8| and its other end is pivoted to the link ||3, by means of the pivot |85. A roller |86 is journaled to the lever |84 and coacts with the cam |19. A helical spring |81 has one end fastened to the frame 20 and its other end is fastened to the lever |84.

Referring to Figs. 3, 4, 7 and 8, to the frame 2| is fastened the cam bracket |90, by means of the screws |9|. The bracket |90 has formed therein the cam groove |92, having the straight portions |92a and |92b. A shock lever |93 is pivoted to the bracket |93a of the side frame 2| by means of the pivot |94. A stem |95 extends from the lever |93. A bracket |96 extends from the side frame 2 A threaded stem |91 extends from the bracket |96 and is provided with the adjusting nut |98. A helical buffer spring |99 has its end portions supported on the stems |95 and |91. A second shock lever 203 is pivoted to the bracket |93a of the side frames 2| by means of the pivot 204. A stern 205 extends from the lever 203. A bracket 206 is fastened to the side frame 2|, and has extending therefrom the threaded stem 201 with the adjusting nut 206. A helical buffer spring 209 has its end portions supported on the stems 205 and 201.

A tubular suction head shaft is shown at 2|2. An arm 2|3, see Fig. 13, is fastened to the shaft 2|2 and has journaled to its outer end the roller 2|4. The latter coacts with the shock levers |93 and 203. A second roller 2|5 is journaled to the arm 2|3 and coacts with the cam groove |92. A spur gear 2|6 is fastened to the suction head shaft 2|2.

In the vertical guides 40 of the side frame 2| is guided the rack bar 220 having the rack teeth 22|. A journal bracket 222 is fastened to the rack bar 220. The bracket 222 is provided with the cup 223. A segmental lever 224 having the teeth 225 is pivoted to the bracket 222. A boss 226 extends from the lever 224 and supports the pin 221. On the outer end of the pin 221 is supported the square slide block 229, Fig. 3. A pair of slide bars 230 are fastened to the side frame 2| and guide the slide block 23|. The latter is provided with the horizontal guide groove 232 for the slide block 229. A bracket 234 is bolted to the slide block 23 A screw 235 with the adjusting handle 236 has one end in Ithreaded engagement with the bracket 234. Jam nuts 231 and 238 are provided for the screw 235.- A yoke 242 has its upper end in threaded engagement with the screw 235, and has an elongated opening 243 which straddles the shaft |18. A collar, 244, (Fig. 4,) fastened to the shaft |18 bears against the yoke 242. A roller 245 is journaled to the yoke 242. A disc 246 is fastened to the shaft |18, and has integral therewith the cam groove 241, Fig. 3.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, a pair of the cross bars |16 support the electric motor 258 having the armature shaft 25| with the pulleys 252 and 253. A housing 254 is shown with the base 255, which latter is fastened to and supported on the cross bars |16. The shaft |18 extends through the housing 254. A worm wheel 258 in the housing 254 is fastened to the shaft |18. A shaft 259 is journaled in the housing 254 and lhas fastened thereto a worm 288 which meshes with the worm wheel 258. A pulley 26| is fastened to the shaft 259. A belt 262 connects the pulleys 252 and 26|. Anl air pump 283 is fastened to some of the bars |16. A pulley 264 of the pump 283 is connected to the pulley 253 of the armature shaft 25| of the electric motor 258 by means of the belt 264a. Blast piping 265 extends from the pump 263 to the flexible tubing 265a. The latter is attached to the hollow bracket 265b e'xtending from the bracket 28|. From the bracket 265b extends the flexible tubing 265e which latter is connected with the nozzle 381, Fig. 6. Suction piping 266 extends from the pump 263 and has connected thereto the flexible tubing 26 6a. A hollow bracket 266b (see Fig. 1) extends from the bracket- 28|. Flexible tubing v. 266e extends from the hollow brackets 266b and connects with the nozzle 31|, Fig. 7. A shaft 261, Fig. v4, has its end portions journaled in the side frames 28 and 2|. Pulleys 281a are fastened to the shaft 261. A spur gear l268 is fastened to the shaft'J 261 and meshes with the teeth 22| of th rack bar 228 (see Fig. 3). A boss 269 extendsv from the side frame 2|. A segmental lever 218 is shown with the teeth 21|, and is pivoted to the boss 289 by means of the screw pivot 212. 'I'he teeth 21| mesh with the spur gear 268. A shaft 213 has its ends journaled in the side frames 28 and 2|. A pair of pulleys 213a in alignment with the pulleys 261e are fastened to the shaft 213. A pair of ropes 214 have each one end fastened to one of the pulleys 261a and extend over the pulleys 213a. The other ends of said ropes suspend the weights 214a.

A link 215 has one end pivoted to the disc 246 by the pin 215a and its other end is pivoted to the segmental levez` 218. A rack bar 218, Fig. 2,

is guided in tljiegvertical guide bars 48 of the sidey frame 28 andhs indicated therewith the teeth 219. A spur gear 288 is fastened to the shaft 261 and meshes with the teeth 219 of the rack bar 218. A journal bracket 28| is supported over the guide bars 48 of the side frame 28 and is fastened to the rack bar 218. The bracket 28| is provided with the cap 282 (see Fig. 13).

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 13, 14, and 16. The tubular suction head shaft 2|2 is journaled in-the brackets 222 and 28|. A controlling shaft 388 is slidably supported in the shaft 2|2 and has at one end the bifurcated journal bracket 38|, Fig. 12. The bracket 38| has journaled therein the roller 382 which coacts with the link |68. A spring 383 encircles the shaft 388 and bears between the bracket 38| and one end of the shaft 2|2. The shaft 388 has formed therein a plurality of controlling grooves having the cyllndrical'portions 385 and the tapered portions 386. A row or plurality of suction heads are each indicated in its entirety by the numeral 3|8. Each suction head M8 comprises the barrel 3| l, Fig. 14, having the head 3| 2 and the body portion 3|3. A cylindrical seat 3|4 is formed in the body portion 3 I3 for the tubular shaft 2 |2. Seats 3|5 and 3|6 are also indicated in the body portion 3|3. A longitudinal bore 32| is shown inthe barrel 3| l. A cap 322 is detachably connected to the 'head 3|2 by means of the screws 323. Annular ports 325 and 326 are indicated in the body portion 3|3. A port 321 extends between the port 325 and the seat 3|5 and a port 328 extends from the seat 3|5 to the outside of the body portion 3I3. A port 329 extends-between the port 326 and the seat 3|8. An operating plunger 332 having the axial port 333 is slidably supported in each suction head 3|8, and is shown with the cross port 334 which Joins with the port 333. Each plunger 332 has the lower tapered end 335 and the upper tapered portion 338 having the tubular stem 331 extending therefrom. In the head 3|2 and cap 322 are formed the openings 342. In each of the openings 342 is slidably positioned a holder sleeve 343 which has integral therewith the guide plate 344. Ihe holder sleeves 343 are in pairs axially in line with each other and one pair in this instance is at right angles to the other pair. In each holder sleeve is tightly positioned a rubbing finger 345 and the outer portion of each nger 345 has a corrugated end 346. Springs 348 connect the guide plates 344 of each pair of holder sleeves 343. In each of the caps 322 is formed an axial openinglwhich joins with the tapered opening 35| at its top end. A suction cup 352 is indicated with the sleeve end 353 which latter engages a recess in the cap 322. Blast nozzles 355 extend from the annular port 326 of each suction head 3|8 and their upper ends extend upwardly to about the level of the lower face of each head 3|2. A tubular suction valve 368 (see Fig. 14) having a circumferential port 36| and the port 362 for each. of the heads 3|8 is positioned in the seats 3|5. The longitudinal lport of the valve 388 is indicated at 363. A tubular blast valve 385 with the longitudinal port 366 is positioned in each of the seats 3| 6 of the heads 3|8. Apert4 361 is provided in the blast valve 385 foreach ofV the'heads 3|8. f

The suction valve 368 at' one endv thereof has connected thereto. the cap 358, Figs. 12.13, with the cam yTug 368 extending therefrom which .coacts with the cam' |32, and also coacts with the tapered end |41.; of ,the trip |45. lteferring to Figs. 1, 4,- 5, 6 and `7,fa hollow cap lever- 318 having the hoseconnectionf is fastened to-,one end of the suction valve-3685rv Av bracket plate 313 is fastened to one, of the suction heads 3|8 at one end of the row `thereof and a'bracket plate 313:1 is fastened to the suction head at the other end of the row. 'I'he plate 313 has integral there' with the stop lugs 314, 315 and has extending.

A bracket'318 therefrom the eyelets 316 and 311. extends from the bracket plate 313. 319having the eyelet 388 is pinned 318. A spring 382 Vencircles the rod ends bear between the eyelets 388 and The blast valve 385 has thereof the cap llever 383.

A guide rod to the lever 319 and its 316. connected to one end To one end of the .lever 383 is journaled the roller 385. The latter coacts with the cam |29, see Fig. 9.A At 4the other end of the blast valve 365 is fastened the hollow cap lever 386 having the hose connection 381. A threaded guide rod 388 with the nut 388e and the eyelet 389, has one end thereof pivoted to the ylevel' 386 and its other end extends through the eyelet 311. A spring-390 encircles the rod 339 and its ends bear against the nut 399s and the eyelet 311 on the plate 913. An adjusting screw 392 with jam nuts 393 extends through an opening in the bracket 319. A hinge bracket 391 is hinged to the cap lever 339 by means of the pin 399. A tension screw 400 is adiustably su ported in the bracket 391, by the nuts 40|. A pin 402 extends from the -lever 399. A spring 403 has one end fastened to the pin 402 and its other end is fastened to one of the nuts 40|.

A counter weight 401 Fig. 5 has its ends connected to a pair of the suction heads 3 l 0 by means of the screws 409.

A channel shaped bar 4|0 connects the brackets 222 and 29|. Plates 4|| connect the upper ends of the side frames 20 and 2|. A plurality of cup supply cylinders 4|2 each with the chamber 4|3, having integral therewith the flanges 4|4 which are fastened to the plates 4| One of the cylinders 4|2 is provided for each suction head 3|0. The inner surface of each supply cylinder 4|2 at its lower end has extending therefrom a plurality of longitudinal flexible friction fingers 420 and a plurality of longitudinal metallic stop fingers 42| (see Fig. l5). A holder 422 is provided for each of the fingers 420.

To operate the cup dropping machine, a plurality of the cups to be dispensed are placed in inverted position in the cup supply cylinders 4|2. The cups each comprise the bottom wall 425and the corrugated side wall 426. The lower ends of the side walls 426 of the cups when adjacent to the lower ends of the cup supply cylinders 4|2 are supported by the friction fingers 420 and the metallic stop fingers 42 I The pans 99 are placed upon the platform in operative position. The guide strips 91 guide the pans 99 laterally, and the guide strips 98 maintain them in contact with the platform' 95 and prevent them rising. The tapered ends 93h of the strips 98 provide means for guiding the pans 99 to their horizontal operative position.

The electric motor. 250, Figs. 1, 3 and 4, is started by electric appurtenance not shown, and by means of the belt 262, the worm 260 is turned. The worm wheel 259 turns with the worm 260 and thereby the main drive shaft |18 is turned. By this means the disc 246. is lturned and the link 215 swings the segmental lever 210, and the spur gears 299 and 239 turn. This causes the rack bars 229 and 213 'to rise. When the said rack bars rise the yoke '232 moves upwardly. TheA latter moves by reason 'of the coaction of the cam groove 293 of the disc 246 with the roller 245. The slide block 23| rises with the yoke 242. With the upward movement of the rack bars 220 and 219, the suction heads 3|@ and the segmental lever 226| rise. elevated above the conveyor cross bars 99a, the conveyor with the sprocket chains 30 start to move in the direction of the arrow A, Figs. 2 and 3. The sprocket chains 30 are actuated as follows. The conveyor. crank disc |1911 turns with the shaft |13, and thereby the connecting rod 95 is moved. The connecting rod swings the ratchet lever having the arms 92 and 93 and the pawl 84 intermittedly turns the ratchet wheel 3|. The turns with the ratchet wheel 3| and thereby the sprocket chain wheels 63 and 19 are turned. When the suction heads 3 l0 begin to rise, Figs. 3, 5, 3 and 13, the roller 2|5 travels up the lower straight portion |92a of the cam groove |92. When the suction heads 3|9 are just above the conveyor the roller 2 i 5, Fig. 8, begins to enter the when the suction heads 3|@ are curved portion of thecam groove |92. At the same time the coaction of the roller 245 and the cam groove 241 maintains the yoke 242 and the slide block 23| stationary until the suction heads make a turn of degrees. The rack barsv 220 and 219 continue to rise and the segmental lever 224 swings the suction heads 3|0 from their lower inverted position to their upward upright position as indicated in the drawings. The turning of the suction heads 3|0 results from the co action of the spur gear 2|6 and teeth 223 of the segmental lever 224. While the sprocket chains 90 are moved in the direction of the arrow A, Figs. 2 and 3, the conveyor cross bars 90a, which are equally spaced from each other, permit one of the pans 99 to be positioned between each pair of them. The said cross bars position each row of nests 99a in line with the axial centers of the suction heads 3|0 at the proper time. When the pans 99 move in the direction of the arrow A, Figs. 2, 3, they contact with the detector fingers |02 which swing and partially turn the shaft I0|, Fig. 17. Thereby the arm which moves the link |04, and the arm |09 of the bell crank swings in the direction of the arrow B. By this means the link |0 moves in the direction of the ,arrow C and the U shaped latch bracket ll2'engages the latch pin |63. It will be noted that when thereA are no pans 99 on the platform 95, tionary and consequently the latch bracket ||2 is not locked with the latch pin |93. Referring to Figa-2, 3, 9 and 17, when the arm |03 swings in the direction of the arrow B, the arm |09 and the link ||6 move upwardly in the direction of the arrow E and partially turn the cross shaft |20. When the shaft |20 turns, the link |26 through the intervention of the arm |25, Fig. 3, rises and the latch arm |51, Figs. 3, 9,1ocks with the rabbet |49 of the trip |45.

Just before the suction heads 3|0 have turned to their upright position indicated in the drawings, the roller 2|4 contacts with the shock lever |93. While the said suction heads are moving upwardly the yoke 242 and the slide block 23| with their appurtenances also move upwardly and the roller 2|5 is positioned in the upper portion |92b of the cam groove |92 and maintains said heads steady as they rise. The coaction of the roller 2|4 with the shock lever |93 cushions the end of the up stroke of the said suction heads 3|0.

F, Fig. 6, to open the same to bring the port 361 in alignment with the port 329. Thereby the blast from the pump 263 enters the annular port 323 and is discharged from the blast nozzles 355. When the roller 335 contacts with the cam |29, the hinge bracket 391, Fig. 6, is separated from the adjusting screw 392 and remains separated until the roller 395 engages the thin portion |29a of the cam |29 and turns off the blast. The hinge bracket 391 at this instant contacts with the adjusting screw 392. The adjusting screw 392 can be located in different positions to vary the time of the closure of the blast valve 365.

Just before the suction heads 3|9 reach the ends of their up strokes, the cam lug 369, Fig. 9, contacts with the tapered end |41 of the trip |45, and the tubular suction valve 360 is turned in the direction of the arrow G, Fig. 6, to align the ports 362 with the ports 321 to produce a suction effect in the suction heads 3|9. The cap lever 310, Figs.

6, 7 and 9, is separated from the stop lug 315 and swings against the stop lug 314 and the suction valve is positioned in its full open position. The cap lever 31|) remains in the latter position by the tension of the spring 382. By this means a suction effect is produced in all the suction heads 3|0. It will be noted that the spring 382 tends to hold the tubular suction valve 360 both in its open and closed position. The suction heads now rise to their extreme up position, and each stack of cups having the side walls 426 are slightly raised. Thereby suction contact is made between the wall 425 of the lowermost cup and the cap 322. When the suction heads 3||l lower the roller 385 rolls from the thin portion I 29a, Fig. 9, to the thick portion |28b of the cam |29, and the blast valve 365 is moved in a-direction opposite to the arrow F, Fig. 7, and the cap lever 386 is separated from the hinge bracket 391, which lallows the roller 885 to engage the thick portion |29b of the cam without jar and thereby functions as a cushion. 'I'he roller 385 turns the tubular blast valve until it contacts with the thick portion |281) of the cam |29` to close said valve. The coaction of the cam |19 with the lever |84, Figs. 2, 5 and 17, moves the link ||3 downwardly and thereby the latch plate |62 is lowered. The link |69 lowers with the plate |62. By this means the link |68 is moved laterally in the direction of the arrow D, Fig. 5. The link |68 bears against the roller 302 and thereby the controlling shaft 300 is moved in the direction of said arrow D. By this means the tapered portions of the shaft 300 raise the operating plungers 332, and the rubbing fingers 345 are spread, which spreads the side walls 426 of the adjacent cups. Thereby the cups at the lower portions of the cup supply cylinders 4|2 are pinched between the rubbing lingers 345 and the metallic stop fingers 42|. When the suction heads are turning to their inverted position, the conveyor cross bars 80a position the nests 98a of the pans 89, so that the suction heads 3 0 can drop the cups in the nests of the pans. Just before the suction heads 3|0 have been completely inverted the roller 2|4, Fig. 8, contacts with the second shock lever 203 and produces a cushioning effect. The suction heads 3|0 move straight downwardly, and as the said suction' heads move downwardly the cam lug 369, Fig. 9, contacts with the cam surface |32, the suction valve turns and thereby the vacuum is shut oif and the cups drop into the nests of the pans. At the same time the pairs of rubbing fingers 345 approach each other to clear the cups. It will be noted that the suction heads 3|0 are lowered as follows. The rack bars 220 and 218 are lowered by coaction with the spur gears 268 and 280, and the segmental lever 210. The latter coacts with the link 215 which is moved by the pin 215a Various modifications may be made in the invention andthe present application is to be taken as illustrative and not limitative thereof.

Having described my invention I claim:

1. In a machine the combination of a pair of sldeframes, a pair of vertical guides extending from the inner face of each of said frames, a rack bar slidably supported in each pair of guides, a

main driving shaft journaled in the machine between said frames, a motor supported in the ma chine, connections between the motor and said driving shaft, a yoke having an Velongated opening straddling said driving shaft, means to reciprocate the yoke during the rotations of said 'driving sha-ft, a slide block guided in the machine adjacent to its upper end, connecting means between said slide -ply cylinder coacting of the disc 246. f'

block and yoke, a bracket fastened to each of said rack bars, a segmental lever pivoted to one of said brackets, means at one end of segmental lever coacting with said 'slide block to swing said segmental lever with reciprocations of said slide block, a tubular suction head shaft having its end portions journaled in said brackets, a spur gear fastened to said tubular shaft in mesh with the teeth of said segmental lever and suction heads fastened to said tubular shaft.

2. In a machine the combination of a pair oi side frames, a rack bar slidably guided adjacent to each frame, a journal bracket extending from each rack bar, a tubular suction head shaft having its end portions journaled in said journal brackets, a controlling ed in said tubular shaft, controlling grooves in shaft slidably supportf said controlling shaft, a roller journaled at one end of the controlling shaft, a spring vencircling the controlling shaft between said roller and said tubular shaft, suction heads fastened to the tu bular shaft. one for each of said grooves, a headff with a cap at one end of each suction head,

a plunger slidably positioned in each suction head, rubbing fingers slidably positioned in the head and cap of each suction head, a cup supwith each suction head. a pair of bell cranks one over the other journaled adjacent to one outer link and an inner link connecting the arms of the bell cranks, said links straddling the roller of the controlling shaft, a main drive shaft journaled in the machine, and automatically detachable connecting means between said main drive shaft and the lowermost of said bell cranks, said outer link pulled downwardly with the rotations of the drive shaft and thereby horizontally move the roller of the controlling shaft to move the controlling shaft in one direction to raise said plungers and spread said ngers to pinch the cups handled by the machine one after the other between said ngers and their coacting cup supply cylinder, said spring on the controlling shaft moving the latter in the opposite direction on -the further rotation in each revolution of the main drive shaft, whereby said plungers of the controlling shaft lowers and said fingers are re.- leased from the cups.

3. In a machine the combination of a pair of side frames, a rack bar slidably guided adjacent to each frame, a journal bracket extending from each rack bar, a tubular suction head shaft having its end portions journaled in said journal brackets, a controlling shaft slidably supported in said tubular shaft, controlling grooves in said controlling shaft, a roller journaled at one end of the controlling shaft, a spring encircling the controlling shaft between said roller and said tubular shaft, suction heads fastened to the tubular shaft, one for each of said grooves, each of the suction heads comprising a barrel having a longitudinal bore, a head at one. end of each barrel, a cap for each head, a plunger slidably 'positioned in each bore, a lower tapered end for each plunger, an upper tapered portion for each plunger, rubbing fingers slidably positioned in each head and its cap, the lower tapered ends of each plunger coacting with one of said controlling grooves, and the upper tapered portion of each plunger coacting with said rubbing ngers, a cup supply cylinder coacting with each suction head, a pair of journal brackets one over the other fastened to one of said side frames, a bell crank pivoted in each of the latter brackets, an outer link connecting in arm of one bell of said side frames, an

. of the bell cranks, the

the yoke, a

Vpans supported on the platform,

crank with the'similar arm of the other bell crank, an inner link connecting the other arms said links straddling the roller of the controlling shaft, a main drive shaft journaled in the machine and automatically detachable connecting means between said main drive shaft and the lowermost of said bell cranks, said outer link pulled downwardly with the rotations of the drive .shaft and thereby horizonmove the roller of the controlling shaft, to move the controlling shaft in one direction to raise said operating plungers and spread said fingers to pinch a cup to be dispensed between them and their coacting cup supply cylinder, said spring on the controlling shaft moving it in -the opposite direction on the further rotation in each revolution of the main drive shaft, whereby said plungers lower and said fingers are released from the cups.

4. In a machine of the character described the combination of a pair of side frames, a tubular suction head shaft journaled between the frames, suction heads fastened to the shaft, rubbing fingers slidably supported in each suction head, a

controlling shaft slidably supported in the tubular shaft, a platform having a pair of longitudinal openings pomtioned between the said side frames, a travelling conveyor supported on the platform, cross bars for the conveyor, pans having nests positioned on said platform between said cross bars, a cross shaft Journaled below said platform, a pair of detector fingers extending from said cross shaft, adapted to enter said openings in the platform and contact with said pans as they move, a iournal stud extending from one of said frames, a bell crank pivoted on said stud, a pin extending from one of the arms of the bell crank, an arm extending from said cross shaft. a link having a slot at one end, one end of said link pivoted to the latter arm andthe s'lot of said link engaging the pin of said ball crank, a latch bracket having a recess in the machine, a link having to the latch bracket and its other end pivoted to the pin of the said arm of the bell crank, a link pivoted to the lower end of the latch bracket, means to raise and lower the latter link and thereby raise and lower said latch bracket, a pair of journal brackets one over the other fastened to one of the said side frames, a bell crank pivoted to each of said brackets, links connectingthe arms of the bell crank, a roller at one end of the controlling shaft coacting with one of said links to move the controlling shaft in one direction, a latch plate suspended from. an arm of one of the latter bell cranks, and a latch pin extending from said latch plate coacting with the recess of the latch bracket.

5. In a machine of the character described the combination of .a pair of side frames, a tubular suction head shaft Journaled between the said frames, suction heads fastened; to the tubular shaft, a tubular suction valve and 'a tubular blast valve rotatively supported in said heads, a cam lug on one end of the suction valve, means to turn and move up and down said tubular shaft with its suction heads. a yoke extending from one of said side frames, alpivot extending from trip pivoted to said yoke, an arm pivoted to said pivot, a latch arm pivoted to said pivot, said latch arm adapted to lock with said trip, a platform having a pair of longitudinal openings supported between said side frames, means to move dably one end pivoted s,oos,sis

the pans, a shaft :iournaled below the platform, detector fingers fastened to the shaft adapted to contact with said pans during the movements of the latter and swing thereby. connections between the shaft below said platform and the said detector fingers to partially turn the latter shaft and thereby lock the trip with said latch arm, said cam lug on the suction valve contacting with said latch arm during the up stroke of the tubular shaft to open the suction valve, a cam on said yoke and means to turn and lower said tubular shaft and suction heads, said cam lug contacting with the cam on the yoke on the down stroke of said .tubular shaft and thereby 'close the suction valve.

6. In a machine of the character described the combination of a pair of side frames, a tubular suction head, shaft Journaled between said frames, suction heads fastened to the tubular shaft, a tubular suction valve and a tubular blast valve rotatively supported in vsaid heads, a roller journaled to one end of the blast valve, means to open and close said suction valve, means to turn and move up and down said' tubular shaft with its suction heads, a yoke extending from one of said side frames,and a cam having a thin portion and a vthick portion on said yoke, said roller of the blast valve contacting with the thick portion of the said cam on said yoke on the up stroke of the tubular suction head shaft to open said blast valve, said roller when contacting with the thin portion of said cam turning the blast valve to close the same.

7. In a machine the combination of a pair of side frames, a tubular suction head shaft Journaled between said frames, suction heads for cups supported on the tubular shaft, a controlling shaft slidably supported in the tubular shaft, means to longitudinally move said controlling shaft, means in the suction heads coacting with said shaft to operate said suction heads for gripping and releasing cups, means to turn and vertically move said tubular shaft and suction head and means to cushion the movements of said tubular shaft at the end of its up and down strokes.

`8. In a machine the combination of a pair of side frames, a tubular suction head shaft lournaled between said frames. suction heads for cups supported on the tubular shaft, means to turn and vertically move said tubular shaft and suction heads, a cam bracket fastened to one of said side frames, said cam bracket having a curved cam groove with vertical straight portions and its upper and lower ends, a shock lever pivoted to said side frame for the upper portion of the cam, a shock lever pivoted to one of said frames for the lower portion of the cam bracket, flexible means bearing against each of said shock levers, an arm extending from said tubular shaft, a pair of rollers pivoted adjacent to the outer end of said arm, one of said rollers engaging the groove of. the cam bracket and the other roller contacting with said shock levers as the controlling shaft reaches the upper and lower portions of its stroke.

9. In a machine the combination of a tubular suction head shaft, a plurality of suction heads fastened to the shaft, rubbing ngers slidably positioned in each suction head, a controlling shaft in said tubular shaft, means to longitudinally move the latter shaft to actuate said rubbing fingers, a tubular blast valve extending through each suction head, a cap lever fastened to one end of the blast valve, a roller iournaled to said lever, a bracket plate having an opening for the other end of the blast valve to extend there through, a hollow cap lever fastened to the other end of the blast valve and having one face thereof in contact with said bracket plate, a cam in the machine having a thick portion and a thin portion coacting with saidroller, a hinge bracket hinged to said hollow cap lever, a spring ilexibly connecting said hollow cap lever and said hinge bracket a'nd means to vertically reciprocate and turn said suction heads, said roller contacting with the thick portion of the said cam when said suction heads are nearly at the end of their up stroke, said blast valve opened by said contact, said blast valve shut off with said roller contacting with the thin portion of said cam, said hinge bracket separating from said hollow cap lever when said roller engages the thick portion of the4 said cam and producing a cushioning effect and remaining separated until said roller engages the thin portion oi' the cam.

10. In a machine the combination of a tubular suction head shaft, a plurality o1' suction heads on said shaft, rubbing' fingers slidably positioned in each suction head, means to vertically move and turn said tubular suction head shaft, a controlling shaft in said tubular shaft, means to longitudinally move the latter shaft to actuate said rubbing lingers, a tubular suction valve extending through each suction head, a cap fastened to one end of the tubular suction valve, a cam lug integral with said cap, a bracket plate having an opening for the other end of the tubular suction valve to extend through, a hollow cap lever fastened to the other end of the tubular suction valve, one face of the hollow cap lever in contact with said bracket plate, a pair of stop lugs on said bracket plate for the opposite sides of said hollow cap lever, an eyelet extending from the bracket plate, a guide rod, an eyelet at one end of said rod, the latter eyelet pivoted to the said hollow cap lever, a spring encircling said rod bearing between its eyelet and the eyelet of the bracket plate to tend to maintain the tubular suction valve in its open or closed position, a trip in the machine, said cam lug contacting with said trip just before the suction heads reach the end of their up stroke, to turn the said tubular suction valve to open the s. me to produce a suction effect in said suction heads and a lcam in the machine, said cam lug of the suction valve contacting with said cam when said suction heads and tubular suction valve lower to cut oil and close said tubular suction valve.

11. In a machine the combination of a pair of side frames, a movable element adjacent to one of said frames, a rotating drive shaft journaled in the machine, means between the shaft and said element to reciprocate the latter, a slide block guided in the machine and in connection with said element, a pair of movable brackets in the machine, a second shaft journaled in the pair of brackets, a gear fastened to the latter shaft, a segmental lever pivoted to one of the latter brackets and connecting means between the slide block and said segmental lever at one end thereof, the teeth of the segmental lever in mesh with said gear.

CHARLES F. ADAMS. 

